Razor-blade scraper

ABSTRACT

A single-edged razor blade, having an enlarged strip opposite its cutting edge, is received within a bi-furcated clamp so as to lie in a given plane with its cutting edge exposed. An elongated solid rod forms a rigid handle shaped to be grasped over one end portion by the hand of the user. The rod is affixed rigidly at its other end to the rear of the clamp so as to form an angle, between the axis of the handle and the plane of the blade in another plane that includes the axis and is normal to the blade plane, of an amount sufficient to accommodate the user&#39;&#39;s knuckles between the handle and a surface being scraped while the plane defined by the blade is positioned almost parallel to that surface.

United States Patent Howerter 51 May 30, 1972 [s41 RAZOR-BLADE SCRAPER [21] Appl.No.: 844,278

[52] U.S. Cl ..30/169, 30/334 [51] Int. Cl ..B27g I7/04 [58] Field ofSeareh ..30/l71,l69, 162, 334

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,601,723 7/1952 Keller ..30/ 169 X FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 755,168 9/1933 France ..30/169 207,388 1 l/ 1923 Great Britain ..30/169 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. .luhasz Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, Jr. Attorney-Hugh l-l. Drake [57] ABSTRACT A single-edged razor blade, having an enlarged strip opposite its cutting edge, is received within a bi-furcated clamp so as to lie in a given plane with its cutting edge exposed. An elongated solid rod forms a rigid handle shaped to be grasped over one end portion by the hand of the user. The rod is affixed rigidly at its other end to the rear of the clamp so as to form an angle, between the axis of the handle and the plane of the blade in another plane that includes the axis and is normal to the blade plane, of an amount sufficient to accommodate the user's knuckles between the handle and a surface being scraped while the plane defined by the blade is positioned almost parallel to that surface.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Flgures RAZOR-BLADE SCRAPER The present invention relates to a razor-blade scraper of the kind useful, for example, for manually removing material affixed to the smooth surface of a hard material such as glass. Razor-blade scrapers have for many years been a commonly available article of commerce. They often have a handle of generally U-shaped cross-section made of a metal sheet smoothly folded so as to lie comfortably in the users hand and give rigidity to the handle. Affixed to one end of the handle is a clamp that holds and positions a single-edged razor blade with its cutting edge exposed and lying in the same plane as that defined by the handle. The clamp, typically, is composed of a metal plate that sandwiches the blade against the forward end of the handle and is clamped by means of a nut on a bolt that projects through an opening formed centrally in the blade.

Such scrapers have found widespread use both in the home and by tradesman. They constitute a worthwhile tool, for example, for removing dried paint spots that have splattered onto windowpanes or other matter that has adhered to the smooth surface of tile and like materials. In many states, safety-inspection or tax-payment decals are affixed on the inside surface near one corner of automobile Windshields. Each time a new decal is affixed it often is necessary or desirable to remove an older one. The usual tool for use in accomplishing such removal is the aforedescribed razor-blading scraper.

Razor-blade scrapers of the foregoing character have been marketed in tremendous numbers, attesting to the demand for a tool capable of performing the kind of operation described. That demand has persisted notwithstanding considerable difficulty to the user when it becomes necessary to perform the scraping operation with the user's hand moving over a raised object adjacent to the surface to be scraped, such as a molding around a windowpane, or when working in areas oflimited access as in the case of removing decals from the inside corners of the curved Windshields in many automobiles. Although the cutting edge of the blade may be extremely sharp, it often is necessary to make a rather large number of cutting strokes in order to obtain complete removal of an item such as a decal.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved razor-blade scraper which at least in part overcomes the aforenoted difficulties and deficiencies.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved razor-blade scraper that is more effectively and comfortably held during use.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved razor-blade scraper that achieves better cutting efficiency.

A razor-blade scraper constructed in accordance with the present invention utilizes a single-edged razor blade composed of a flat rectangular metal blank of predetermined thickness sharpened to a cutting edge along one longer side and including a thicker-rigid strip along the other side portion opposite that one side. A bi-furcated clamp includes a pair of sandwiched rectangular panels faced together along respective first longer side portions that have lengths approximating the length of the blade. The plates are formed to have mutually facing, outwardly depressed lengthwise deformations that form a channel receptive of the strip on the blade, leaving the other longer side portions, opposite the channel from the first side portions, of a width to grip the blade intermediate its width while having its cutting edge exposed. The clamp thus defines a slot in which the blade is received and lies in a predetermined plane. Finally, an elongated rigid handle, shaped to be grasped on one end portion by the hand of the user, is affixed rigidly at its other end to the first side portions of the plates so as to form an angle, between the axis of the handle and the plane of the blade, of an amount sufiicient to accommodate the users knuckles between the handle and the surface being scraped while the plane defined by the blade is positioned almost parallel to that surface.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood, however, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a razor-blade scraper embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the scraper shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the same scraper; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1.

The drawing depicts a scraper composed of an elongated handle 10, a single-edged razor blade 11, a bi-furcated clamp 12 and a sleeve 13 on the outer end portion of the handle. Blade 11 is composed of a flat rectangular metal blank of predetermined thickness sharpened to a cutting edge 14 along one longer side and including a thicker rigid backing strip 15 folded along the side portion opposite edge 14. This particular blade structure is very well known and such blades have been commonly available for many years; the now standard blade is extremely thin compared to its length and width.

Clamp 12 includes a pair of sandwiched rectangular panels 16 and 17 faced together along first or rearward longer side portions 18 and each having lengths approximating the length of blade 11. Panels 16 and 17 have mutually facing, outwardly depressed lengthwise deformations or vertically offset portions that form a channel or passage 19 into which strip 15 is received. The other or forward longer side portions 20 of panels 15 and 16, opposite channel 19 from side portions 18, are of a width to grip blade 11 intermediate its width while leaving cutting edge 14 exposed; that is, the respective front edges of the panels terminate rearwardly of cutting edge 14. Thus, clamp 12 defines a slot in which blade 11 is slidably received with the blade lying in a predetermined plane (normal to the drawing surface) indicated by line 21. As will be seen from the drawing, channel 19 accommodates insertion of the razor blade from a side edge of the panels and retains the blade against forward and rearward movement relative to the panels. As shown, side portions 18 of the panels are integrally joined together by pairs of spaced spot welds 23 and 24 that permanently and fixedly secure the panels to each other, and the panels themselves are formed of a sheet metal having sufficient resiliency together with the conformation of the panels that side portions 20 press mutually against one another and thereby firmly grip opposite sides of blade 11 when it is in place, thus frictionally resisting movement of the inserted blade relative to the panels in directions parallel to channel 19. While panels 16 and 17 may be folded from a single sheet, the described construction requires simpler forming operations and facilitates obtaining a firm grip of the blade.

Handle 10 is shaped to be grasped over one end portion 25 by the hand of the user and is affixed rigidly at its other end portion 26 to rearward side portion 18 of the upper panel 16 of clamp 12. To facilitate silver soldering or otherwise fixedly securing the handle to the clamp, an endwise cut is made into end portion 26 that leaves a flat surface 27 on the handle end portion. Surface 27 is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of handle 10 by an angle a and that angle determines the amount by which handle 10 itself is slanted relative to the plane defined by blade 11 when disposed within clamp 12. Handle 10 itself is formed of elongate rigid metallic solid-rod stock of circular cross-section, and end portion 25 preferably is caused to have a larger transverse size than that of the remainder of the handle by means of plastic sleeve 13 positioned thereon. A solid rod is preferred for the handle because it permits easy securing of the handle to the clamp and it affords a better feel" to the user by reason of increased weight and firmness.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, angle a is formed between the longitudinal axis of handle 10 and plane 21 with the angle being measured in another plane that includes the handle axis and which is normal to plane 21. The magnitude of angle a is of an amount sufficient to accommodate the users knuckles between the handle and a surface being scraped while plane 21, defined by blade 11 and similarly by the general plane of upper panel 16, is positioned almost parallel to that surface; the generally smooth and unobstructed bottom surface presented by lower panel 17 parallel to blade 11 enables the blade to be oriented in that position approaching parallelism with the work surface. That is, the space defined by angle a under the handle when the scraper is in use accommodates the users knuckles. l have discovered that angle a should be of a magnitude between about 7 and 20. While the particular angular value most suitable to accommodate the knuckle size of a given user might be anywhere within this range, I have further discovered that an angle of about is most satisfactory for use by a variety of users.

Particularly for use in removing decals and the like from curved Windshields, it has been found that a value of angle a in excess of about is undesirably ineffective. At such excessive angles, it appears that the user is unable to maintain proper blade orientation while yet being able easily to apply sufficient force in the cutting direction.

With too small a value of angle a, on the other hand, the user undesirably tends to tilt the blade more away from the surface. This reduces cutting efficiency and leads to increased breakage of the blades. It should be noted that, in practice, the minimum value of angle a may vary to a limited extent, depending on the particular handle dimensions chosen. Preferably, handle 10 has a diameter of about one-fourth inch and a length of about 7% inches, while sleeve 13 has an outer diameter of about three-eighths inch and a length of about 3 inches.

Scrapers of the kind described herein have been tried without instruction by many different users familiar with such prior razor-blade scrapers as those discussed in the introduction. In all cases, the user immediately found these angled scrapers to facilitate greatly his removal operation. Quite simply stated, the inclusion of angle (1 enables the user to per form the removal task without having his knuckles in one way or another interfere with the operation. At the same time, more efficient cutting is obtained because the user conveniently is able to hold the blade almost parallel to the surface from which the material is being removed. The inclusion of angle a particularly enables users more conveniently and rapidly to work in confined surroundings such as when removing decals from the inside corners of curved automobile Windshields. In addition, the other characteristics discussed, such as the solid handle and its enlarged grip portion, each contribute to improved performance in the hand of and acceptability to the user.

The particular arrangement of clamp 12 is also advantageous in that it permits blade 11 to be reversed in position so that cutting edge 14 is confined within channel 19 for safe storage. A slight outward flaring immediately at one or both corners of panels 16 and 17 along side portions 20, as is particularly indicated in FIG. 4, may be advantageously included to facilitate insertion of blade 11, particularly in this reversed-position safe-storage mode of use.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. For use as a scraper in combination with a standard single-edged razor blade of generally rectangular configuration extremely thin compared to its width and length and having a cutting edge and a rigid backing strip folded over the side opposite said cutting edge, a razor blade holder comprising:

generally flat upper and lower clamping panels, transversely extending vertically ofiset portions in said panels cooperatively defining a transversely extending passage between said panels shaped to slidably receive said backing strip and accomodate insertion of said razor blade between said panels from a side edge thereof and to retain the inserted blade against forward and rearward movement relative to said panels, said panels flaring mutually outwardly immediately only at the corners of said front edges in facilitation of said insertion;

means permanently and fixedly securing said panels to each other rearwardly of said offset portions with said panels being conformed to resiliently bias those portions of said panels forwardly of said offset portions against opposite sides of a razor blade inserted therebetween and frictionally resist movement of the inserted blade relative to said panel in directions parallel to said passage, said portions of said panels forwardly of said offset portions terminating at respective front edges located rearwardly of the cutting edge of a razor blade inserted between said panels;

and an elongated handle fixedly secured to said upper panel rearwardly of said offset portion and inclined upwardly at an angle that is approximately 15 to the general plane defined by said upper panel, the bottom of said lower panel presenting a smooth and unobstructed surface generally parallel to said razor blade and enabling orientation of the razor blade in a position substantially approaching parallelism with a surface being scraped, and said handle being of solid metallic rod of at least substantially circular cross-section and having a generally endwise cut-out defining a surface fixedly joined to said upper plate with said surface forming said angle to the elongate axis of said rod and said rod projecting substantially only above said general plane. 

1. For use as a scraper in combination with a standard singleedged razor blade of generally rectangular configuration extremely thin compared to its width and length and having a cutting edge and a rigid backing strip folded over the side opposite said cutting edge, a razor blade holder comprising: generally flat upper and lower clamping panels, transversely extending vertically offset portions in said panels cooperatively defining a transversely extending passage between said panels shaped to slidably receive said backing strip and accomodate insertion of said razor blade between said panels from a side edge thereof and to retain the inserted blade against forward and rearward movement relative to said panels, said panels flaring mutually outwardly immediately only at the corners of said front edges in facilitation of said insertion; means permanently and fixedly securing said panels to each other rearwardly of said offset portions with said panels being conformed to resiliently bias those portions of said panels forwardly of said offset portions against opposite sides of a razor blade inserted therebetween and frictionally resist movement of the inserted blade relative to said panel in directions parallel to said passage, said portions of said panels forwardly of said offset portions terminating at respective front edges located rearwardly of the cutting edge of a razor blade inserted between said panels; and an elongated handle fixedly secured to said upper panel rearwardly of said offset portion and inclined upwardly at an angle that is approximately 15* to the general plane defined by said upper panel, the bottom of said lower panel presenting a smooth and unobstructed surface generally parallel to said razor blade and enabling orientation of the razor blade in a position substantially approaching parallelism with a surface being scraped, and said handle being of solid metallic rod of at least substantially circular cross-section and having a generally endwise cut-out defining a surface fixedly joined to said upper plate with said surface forming said angle to the elongate axis of said rod and said rod projecting substantially only above said general plane. 